Ɛpsilon

To Benjamin Silliman   26 February 18401

[London]

Mr. Darwin presents his compliments to Prof. Silliman and trusts that Prof. Silliman will excuse the liberty Mr. D. has taken in enclosing a letter on the subject of whirlwinds to be forwarded by any opportunity to Mr. Redfield whose address is unknown to Mr. D.2 Mr. Darwin hopes that Prof. Silliman received some time since a copy of his ‘Journal of Researches during the voyage of the Beagle’3 which he took the liberty of sending him as a mark of respect.

1
The date is given in the sale catalogue.
2
William C. Redfield was a saddler, harness maker, and self-taught meteorologist. His articles on storms and hurricanes in the American Journal of Science and Arts (Redfield 1831 and 1834) became classics (DAB, DSB). The letter to Redfield, dated 24 February [1840], is printed in Correspondence vol. 2. See also ibid., letter to W. C. Redfield, [22 December 1840].
3
Journal of researches was first published in 1839 as volume 3 of Narrative, with the title Journal and remarks. See Freeman 1977, pp. 31–2. Silliman acknowledged receipt of the volume in his letter to CD of 7 April 1840 (Correspondence vol. 2).

Please cite as “DCP-LETT-557F,” in Ɛpsilon: The Charles Darwin Collection accessed on 5 June 2025, https://epsilon.ac.uk/view/dcp-data/letters/DCP-LETT-557F